Welcome to the CHMS PTO!
This is a great portal of information to find news about upcoming events, access to the family directory, and a listing of important district links. You will also be able to visit the forms section to register for the PTO, purchase spirit lunch, request a PTO check reimbursement or buy a family brick to place in our school entryway.
The PTO sends a weekly update email with important dates and upcoming events each Sunday, to make sure you are receiving that newsletter, be sure to verify your information here.
Be sure to download the Membership Toolkit Mobile App.


Community Speaker Series Presents Harlan Cohen
Community Speaker Series is pleased to present New York Times bestselling author and college success expert Harlan Cohen, who will speak on "5 Simple Rules for Success in College For Parents and Students." Harlan Cohen offers his advice for achieving success by getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Gain valuable insights and learn how to support student success while maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship. See flyer for complete details.
NEW for this event: Bring your teens! Teenage students are welcome and encouraged to attend our evening event on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00pm in the Hinsdale Central Auditorium. REGISTER HERE.
We will also offer a second presentation for parents on Wednesday, April 30 at 9:00am at The Community House. REGISTER HERE.
Sign up for Walk the Walk - 5/18
The 19th Annual Walk the Walk for Mental Health is Sunday, May 18 at The Community House!
Walk the Walk is not your average walk! It is a one-mile Color Walk that celebrates mental and physical wellness, access to mental health services, and ending the stigma associated with discussing mental health with friends, family and community.
The Big Blue Shoe trophy and a donation to the foundation in our school’s name is up for grabs! Join the CHMS Team when you register to Walk. LET’S GO EAGLES!
Did You Know? A CHMS PTO 6-Week Series!
Back in the late 1990s, Clarendon Hills was growing fast—and so was the number of middle school students. At the time, kids from the Walker and Prospect neighborhoods made the daily trek to Hinsdale Middle School (HMS) at 3rd and Garfield. But with rising enrollment across District 181, it became clear the area needed its own middle school. In November 1997, voters overwhelmingly supported a $12.9 million referendum to make that vision a reality—funding the construction of a brand-new middle school in Clarendon Hills and a gym addition at Madison Elementary. Ground broke soon after, and on August 28, 2000, Clarendon Hills Middle School officially opened its doors.
CHMS launched on August 28, 2000 with approximately 614 students from Walker, Prospect, Monroe, and The Lane attendance areas. Walter A. Kistenfeger, Jr., formerly principal of HMS, took on the role as CHMS’s founding principal and Ms Haddick as Assistant Principal. From day one, the school was more than a building—it was a lively hub of learning, connection, and community pride.
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But like many growing pains, there were adjustments. The original plan to house four attendance areas quickly proved too ambitious for the school’s size. The Lane was reassigned back to HMS, helping CHMS better support the students and families of Walker, Prospect, and Monroe. More than two decades later, CHMS continues to thrive—still at the heart of the village, still growing alongside its community, and still guided by its mission to Imagine boundless possibilities, Ignite passions, and Inspire greatness within themselves and others. |
CHMS Eco Club Clothing Drive ends this Tuesday, 4/15
The CHMS Eco Club Clothing Drive runs through Tuesday, April 15.
Please consider donating gently used clothing and/or shoes of any size to help those in need and keep excess textiles out of our landfills. For every bin filled, USAgain plants a tree!
Thank you to those families who have already donated!
Volunteers Needed For Next School Year!
CHMS Parents - Interested in getting more involved next school year? There are several volunteer opportunities ranging from PTO board positions to staff appreciation to spirit lunches. There is a committee available for every talent and involvement level/commitment!
Please email president@chmspto.org for additional information and to volunteer!
Bibibop Dinner Bell! Stop by this Wednesday, 4/16
Dine at Bibibop on Wednesday, April 16th to support the CHMS PTO!
Please don't forget to mention the CHMS PTO fundraiser at checkout or use code: BIBIFUNDRAISER for online orders.
20% of your order goes to support the CHMS PTO!
Save the Date: Final PTO General Meeting on May 15th!
Please join us for our last PTO General Meeting of the school year on Thursday, May 15th from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at the newly opened Gone Grazy in Hinsdale!
Our agenda includes a recap of recent PTO projects, approval of next year's budget and introduction of next year's PTO Board. Celebratory charcuterie and wine will be served. We hope to see you there! RSVP coming soon!
Calling All 6th Grade Parents - Stock the Lounge!
6th Grade Parents - Please help stock the three CHMS Staff Lounges with drinks and snacks. Our wish list is below. We greatly appreciate your help!
The PTO coordinates this effort with donations from each grade level throughout the school year. Please make sure your donated items do NOT contain nuts.
Please drop off items on MONDAY, APRIL 28 between 8am-8:30am to the tables OUTSIDE of the school office.
NOTE: Please do NOT ship items to school or drop off items late. We cannot accept late donations as the team assembles the items and stocks the lounges immediately after drop off at 8:30am that morning. If you cannot drop off during this time, please email staffappreciation@chmspto.org and we can coordinate an alternate drop off before the event.
6th Grade Glow Social - Tickets on Sale Now!
t’s time to purchase your 6th Grade Social tickets! We’re celebrating with an exciting Glow Party at Sky Zone in Westmont—an evening of jumping, dinner, and fun with friends.
The event takes place on Thursday, May 29th, from 6:00–8:00 PM and is a private event just for CHMS 6th graders.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by clicking the link below or through the Store page in your MTK account. Thanks to generous support from the CHMS PTO, the cost has been subsidized to help make this celebration more accessible for everyone.
Don’t miss out on this memorable end-of-year celebration!
Get your tickets HERE!
ICYM: 8th Grade - ✌️Out Middle School!
It’s hard to believe that the time is drawing near for 8th Grade Graduation! The PTO is excited to celebrate our graduates with an in-school, end of the year party and graduation ceremony.
Save the Dates!
- May 29th: 8th graders will get an afternoon to hang out all together one last time! DJ, pizza, games, crafts, photo booth and more!
- May 30th: Graduation ceremony at HMS. More details to follow soon!
School News!
PTO Quick Links
School Calendar
2024/25 PTO Executive Board
Co-Presidents:
Elaine Chen Gilman & Susie Thorpe
Co-Vice Presidents:
Treasurer: Julie Prieto
Asst. Treasurer: Margie Jeffords
VP Communications: Mira Coleman
Recording Secretary: Julie Kauffman
Webmaster/ToolKit: Corrine Natarelli